Xavier @ Alabama (December 21, 2013) Game Thread

[paulxu]

http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r528/Big_AL2011/big_al-c_zps40cc3685.gif VShttp://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/MinifiguresBios/images/pic773F455B41A27FB44B60F2397BAA49D7.jpg

Xavier University Musketeers (8-3) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-5)
Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Live Chat (http://www.chatzy.com/32573582761803)

Notes and Stats (http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/121913aaa.html)

Television: CSS (Channel Finder (http://www.csssports.com/channel-finder))
and ESPN3 with Dave Baker (play-by-play) and Kyle Macy (analysis).

Radio: 700 WLW-AM with Joe Sunderman '79 (play-by-play) and Bryon Larkin '88 (analysis).

[XUFan09]

See, now Muskie is just taking advantage of you lol.

[paulxu]

I did this to pay homage to the famous Blobfan for continuing her streak.

(Other than that you are correct. If I ever meet him, he's buying until I'm under the table.)

[waggy]

Is that a Lego musketeer?

[X-band '01]

It is indeed.

[Jesuit4Life]

As mentioned already, the game is on ESPN3.com (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index) for those of you without one of Comcast sports channels (check to see if your ISP is an affiliate; not listed as subject to blackout).

If you don't have access and need another online stream, it's scheduled to be shown here: http://nutjob.eu/njtvx17.html (as well as on FirstRow and VIPBox).

[XUglow]

Woke up this morning with a case of the crud. I cannot believe I cannot make it to the game. T Town is less than 2 hours away. This game has been on my calendar for a long time. Ugh.

[Muskie]

I moved Into a new house today. Much appreciated Paul.

[paulxu]

Bourbon.

(Hah! that note was to be for Glow in Mississippi. But it works for you too. Hope move went well)

[xudash]

Pays to live in the South once in a while, at least as far as televised Xavier hoops is concerned: Xavier v. Bama on CSS.

Xavier seems to land on CSS every time they play down here.

[BMoreX]

Empty there.

[Strange Brew]

Another anemic start. Come on fellas! LET'S GO X!

[XUFan09]

Jesus, they can't make a shot.

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[GoMuskies]

We are playong like ass.

[XUBob]

For the life of me I can't figure out why poor shooting teams shoot light out against X.

[coasterville95]

22-14 with 7:32 left in the first If I hears correctly. Not a great start.

[GoMuskies]

For the life of me I can't figure out why poor shooting teams shoot light out against X.

Often it's because Xavier gives them wide open looks.

[GoMuskies]

So far this is quite frustrating.

[BlueGuy]

Is Farr hurt?

[GoMuskies]

Semaj: WTF?

[BlueGuy]

Philmore shooting 3's? Why?


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[xsteve1]

Just a typical road game since Miller left.

[BMoreX]

Philmore shooting 3's? Why?


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He told Santa he wanted one for Christmas.

[Charlesbt4]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Christon is overrated. He isn't a college level point guard, let alone an NBA level point guard. Phenomenal athlete. Average basketball player.

[BlueGuy]

How are we only down 7? Sounds God Awful on the radio.


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[SixFig]

Could be worse...

[GoMuskies]

How are we only down 7?


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Alabama sucks.

[Strange Brew]

Another lackluster half of hoops brought to you by a Mack coached team.

[Kahns Krazy]

Every time they say Hale is from Johnson City, Tennessee, I think of "Wagon Wheel".

[BMoreX]

Every time they say Hale is from Johnson City, Tennessee, I think of "Wagon Wheel".

Same.

[xudash]

Every time they say Hale is from Johnson City, Tennessee, I think of "Wagon Wheel".

That kid is playing out of his ass. That doesn't let us off the hook for bad decisions, though.

[GoMuskies]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Christon is overrated. He isn't a college level point guard, let alone an NBA level point guard. Phenomenal athlete. Average basketball player.

I think this is going too far, but he's mostly been underwhelming so far this season.

[coasterville95]

It's the game before Christmas and the game after the Shootout and a road game. The stars are aligned against us.

[Charlesbt4]

I think this is going too far, but he's mostly been underwhelming so far this season.

Unfortunately, he reminds me of a lot of the players that played for Dayton during the Brian Gregory era. He is our Chris Wright.

[coasterville95]

It's the game before Christmas and the game after the Shootout and it's on the road, and try have jet lag, and they probably had cheesesteaks.

The stars are aligns against us.

[xudash]

It's the game before Christmas and the game after the Shootout and it's on the road, and try have jet lag, and they probably had cheesesteaks.

The stars are aligns against us.

Food poisoning at Dreamland.

Yeah, that's it.

[xudash]

We'll adjust.

Alabama will collapse.

We'll win.

[paulxu]

Now sitting down to the game. Have been on duty with grandkids. This is not looking so good.
Time to play the same basketball they played against UC...hope they didn't leave it home.

All I want for Christmas is a road win. Only get one chance OOC.

[xsteve1]

If Mack's a good coach his team will come out and play with fire the 2nd half.

[BlueGuy]

I was a little down after listening to that first half. I just watched this, and it made me feel better.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=bec_1347741663&comments=1&safe_mode=on#comment_page=3

[xsteve1]

How does Stainbrook miss that...Jesus Christ.

[Charlesbt4]

Stainbrook starting the second half well...

[xsteve1]

No energy...feels like X is about to get run out of the gym.

[paulxu]

This is not the same team that played UC. Imposters.
I blame charter jet lag.

[xavierj]

Stain misses more bunnies than anyone I have ever seen.

[BMoreX]

3 on releford.

[GoMuskies]

Justin Martin is back to being Justin Martin tonight.

[xsteve1]

Down 11 just a pathetic effort.

[Charlesbt4]

I'd rather see Farr and Reynolds than Stainbrook and Philmore.

[DC Muskie]

I had to turn off ESPN3. I can't listen to these rednecks anymore.

Man we are not playing well. Both ends.

[GoMuskies]

We suck again.

[oddblob]

nice to see the pre-shootout muskies show up

[Charlesbt4]

Christon down after a hard foul. Perhaps he'll sit for the rest of the game, which will allow Xavier's offense to improve.

[xsteve1]

Christon down after a hard foul. Perhaps he'll sit for the rest of the game, which will allow Xavier's offense to improve.

I'd rather see him chuck 3's instad of driving into 3 guys.

[Charlesbt4]

I'd rather see him chuck 3's instad of driving into 3 guys.

That's a tough call.

[waggy]

that one ref is on bamas payroll.

[xsteve1]

Myles just a huge upgrade over Redford.

[GoMuskies]

Things improving...

[GoMuskies]

Justin Martin is frustrating.

[xsteve1]

Myles cramping

[xudash]

Bama 43% from behind the arc tonight.

[BMoreX]

Bama 43% from behind the arc tonight.

Average 32.

[GoMuskies]

10:19 to go. Let's beat this horseshit team!

[xsteve1]

Defense is terrible tonight.

[xudash]

10:19 to go. Let's beat this horseshit team!

Chriton just f'ed up the comeback. Out of control and NOT NEEDED.

[waggy]

Big plays by Semaj there.

[GoMuskies]

Christon cannot miss FTs there. CANNOT.

[BlueGuy]

So what happened to Farr over the last week? Why isn't he playing?


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[xsteve1]

Just not going to happen. This team is not very well coached.

[GoMuskies]

Hopefully Martin will foul out soon.

[waggy]

That same phuking ref...

[BlueGuy]

Hopefully Martin will foul out soon.

Why is everyone on this team so hot and cold?


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[xsteve1]

That same phuking ref...

I don't think X has over lost with Shows reffing. He must be trying to make up for it.

[GoMuskies]

I heart James Farr.

[xsteve1]

just can't keep missing front ends.

[xsteve1]

I heart James Farr.

X2

[GoMuskies]

I heart James Farr.

Even more.

[waggy]

Git some James Farr!!

[BlueGuy]

I heart James Farr.

Seriously, why did he get such low minutes tonight? He's consistently been one of the best 3 players on the mother fucking team.


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[BMoreX]

Jimmy!

[Charlesbt4]

With his height and high release, his shot is virtually unblockable.

[xsteve1]

Rebound dammit.

[GoMuskies]

Rebound mothertruckers!

[xsteve1]

C'mon Philmore junior high.

[BMoreX]

Missing bunnies

[GoMuskies]

Tie game!!!

[xsteve1]

Tied. Win this now.

[xsteve1]

Christon d-ing up.

[GoMuskies]

Wow, if we can steal this one...

[BlueGuy]

Sounds like we are playing with more confidence all the sudden.


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[BMoreX]

Lets go.

[xsteve1]

Myles has to grab that board.

[BlueGuy]

Fuck, I wish I could watch instead of listen here at the end. Sounds good.


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[GoMuskies]

Big Stain!

[xsteve1]

Stops Now!!

[Kahns Krazy]

Big Stain!

This is a terrible nickname, but the announcer just said we are riding the "Stain Train" which is way worse.

[xsteve1]

Make free throws and winning looks good.

[BMoreX]

"Xavier doesn't have many offensive rebounds"

We have 17.

[xsteve1]

Great defense.

[GoMuskies]

We just might win this game. Awesome!

[GoMuskies]

Semaj being a bad FT shooter is frustrating.

[BlueGuy]

Bama's last 13 pts are from the line. Last FG at 9 min mark. Amazing


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[GoMuskies]

Hit at least one please!

[xsteve1]

One stop.

[xsteve1]

One stop.

Crap

[GoMuskies]

Shit.

[paulxu]

Please don't let this go to OT.

[xumuskies08]

Justin Martin...why is he on the court?

[BMoreX]

Get it to Myles.

[xsteve1]

Ice it Myles.

[xumuskies08]

C'mon Myles.

[GoMuskies]

We win! Can't believe it! Great effort.

[xumuskies08]

Yes!

[xsteve1]

Nice. That should do it.

[xumuskies08]

If putting the game on ice with 2 clutch free throws is cool, then consider him Myles Davis.

[GoMuskies]

Undefeated in places Chris Mack's kids don't need a passport to fly into or out of!

[xsteve1]

make the first miss the 2nd.

[xsteve1]

Great effort. Nice job Mack.

[UnCaged]

Hell yes!

[BlueGuy]

I'll take it!


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[Kahns Krazy]

Woo hoo!

[paulxu]

Respect the Streak.

[BMoreX]

9-0 in the USA!

[BandAid]

Never a doubt...

[Porkopolis]

This team has a little fight in them. I like what I've seen the past few games.

[xudash]

For those of you who know this game well and even coached it or was a player, please explain to me why Chris Mack is not a good coach.

There were comments in here about Mack not being a good coach, and Mack losing on the road.

What say you?

[oddblob]

ugly w but ill take it!

[Kahns Krazy]

Just a typical road game since Miller left.

Win as a road underdog?


Another lackluster half of hoops brought to you by a Mack coached team.

Last I checked, we don't keep half records


Down 11 just a pathetic effort.



We suck again.

Suck like a fox!





Defense is terrible tonight.

The defense that didn't allow a field goal for over 8 minutes? Yeah, they sucked.


Just not going to happen. This team is not very well coached.

Fire Chris Mack!

[xsteve1]

For those of you who know this game well and even coached it or was a player, please explain to me why Chris Mack is not a good coach.

There were comments in here about Mack not being a good coach, and Mack losing on the road.

What say you?


In the middle of a terrible effort with past history (St. Joe's and UD last year)....things are said.

[DC Muskie]

Mack simply out-coached that dude from Dayton.

Great win!

[BMoreX]

Defeat Wake and we finish the noncon at 10-3. The wins/losses aren't the way I projected them to be, but I would be pretty happy with that record.

[Muskie Steve]

Last years team would have folded when the lead hit 12. This team actually learned a lot from the Iowa game. Long live The Mack!!

[xsteve1]

Win as a road underdog?



Last I checked, we don't keep half records






Suck like a fox!






The defense that didn't allow a field goal for over 8 minutes? Yeah, they sucked.



Fire Chris Mack!

I love guys who critique an in game thread just to do this...the emotions of a game are crazy.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Great, great win. It is good to see different players came up big in different wins. Our FG % was not great in this game, but it appeared that we have solved our FT problems. What is most amazing to me is to see only 6 TO in the entire game. I can't remember when we had such a low TO. Congrats to Mack and the team for a wonderful comeback victory in an away game.

[xu82]

Young teams have to learn to win tough games,,,, that seems to be happening. There was no quit tonight, let's hope this growth continues into conference play (and yeah, I know Alabama isn't a great team).

[DC Muskie]

I love guys who critique an in game thread just to do this...the emotions of a game are crazy.

Or you could just roll with it and have fun.

[xudash]

In the middle of a terrible effort with past history (St. Joe's and UD last year)....things are said.

Fair response. I understand the emotion and these guys possibly draining us through winning ugly.

Onward!

[xsteve1]

Or you could just roll with it and have fun.

Never the less. I will for now.

[Snipe]

Proud that the boys could pull that one out tonight!

Bigtime win.

It looked bad there for awhile, but I love the way we finished.

STREAK

STREAK

STREAK!

[Masterofreality]

For the first time in about 4 years we finally win our last game before Christmas!

Merry, Merry everyone!

[profson]

I'd rather see Farr and Reynolds than Stainbrook and Philmore.

Really? Check out the boxscore.

Too many on this board focus on occasional blocks on Stainbrook and Philmore and missed bunnies (but check out their FG%) and get overly frustrated. The reality is that both have inside games. Farr and (especially) Reynolds have no inside games, by which I mean the ability to receive the ball on the block, make moves with the ball and take decent shots or get fouls and get other bigs in foul trouble. An occasional tip in or dunk is not an inside game. No knock on them, they are young, they are learning and Farr's rebounds and 3s have been important. Reality is XU does not win if Stainbrook and Philmore do not play a positive and central role.

[xudash]

Shadow posted this on MM: Low Tide.

Well done, Sir!

[XUFan09]

People were wondering why Farr wasn't in the game more. This line is why:

17 points, 12 rebounds (4 offensive), 4-8 FG, 9-12 FT, 0 TO

Philmore played really well tonight. Defensively, he also matches up really well with Jacobs, who had 8 points on 4-10 shooting, 0 trips to the line, and only 2 defensive rebounds.

You add Philmore's great play with Stainbrook's consistency and Farr isn't going to see as many minutes, especially because defensively he is still a work in progress.

[profson]

Seriously, why did he get such low minutes tonight? He's consistently been one of the best 3 players on the mother fucking team.


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Simple.

- Philmore may have had best game of career
- Farr was not rebounding
- Farr's defense is average at best and defense is half of the game though 15% of postings on boards like this

Doesn't mean Farr won't be important in the next game.

[Jesuit4Life]

#RollBlob

[waggy]

Philmore had a whale of a game. Made some tough tough shots on the block.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

You think we have depth now, wait till next year.........awesome.

[XUFan09]

#RollBlob

Love it.

[xavierj]

Simple.

- Philmore may have had best game of career
- Farr was not rebounding
- Farr's defense is average at best and defense is half of the game though 15% of postings on boards like this

Doesn't mean Farr won't be important in the next game.

Farr was important tonight. His threes changed the game.

[bobbiemcgee]

Stain misses more bunnies than anyone I have ever seen.

17/6/3 in 19 minutes. He did tweet he was going to the gym and practices layups. He is definitely the "glue guy" on this team and very happy to have him.

[bobbiemcgee]

Philmore 17/12. Wow. Blue Light was not on at JMart tonite. 6 TO's and 22-28 from line. Great Improvements. Nobody can press Randolph. (Sure could have used him last year). Played very well without ever scoring. Farr is money.

[XUFan09]

Quick stats breakdown (http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/quick-stats-receding-tide/), covering some key areas. Impressive how they pulled that out after falling behind on the road.

[TUclutch]

Justin Martin...why is he on the court?

This a joke?

Some people need to relax a little bit early in games. It was the first road game of the season. Not out of the ordinary to fight a deficit for a lot of a game on the road, especially the first road game

[coasterville95]

Didnt we once say that anything said in the heat of battle during a game thread can't be used against you?

[XUFan09]

Didnt we once say that anything said in the heat of battle during a game thread can't be used against you?

That was the nice thing about the old Live Chat: The evidence disappeared when the session was over lol.

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[X-band '01]

I think the transcript will only go so far if you don't sign up for their membership (a free one).

[STL_XUfan]

#RollBlob
https://fbcdn-photos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/995246_10151793489156701_1097127428_n.jpg?dl=1

[gladdenguy]

For the second Sunday in a row I love you all. Great Christmas present win. I feel great about my Xavier Christmas presents both to give and receive.
And this thread was funny and please don't get on posters who post things in the heat of the battle.
GreAt win. I wish I could have seen the game.

[Smails]

And this thread was funny and please don't get on posters who post things in the heat of the battle.
.

Nope..not gonna happen. If posters speak in superlatives and extremes when the team is down, then they absolutely get to hear about how ridiculous they sound after the fact. You don't get immunity from criticism just because it's 'the heat of battle'. If I blurt out something stupid during an argument with my wife, she doesn't say..it's okay I understand you were just fired up. If someone's M.O. is to bitch, whine and complain when things aren't going exactly the way they want and then act like everything is great during a win...they will continue to be called out.

[GoMuskies]

I went back through the thread and am okay with everything I said in the "heat of battle". For the first 30 minutes we did kind of suck yesterday. Justin Martin was back to being Justin Martin. Semaj's FT shooting is frustrating. Alabama does kind of suck. But from the Skip Prosser school of "Get in, get a win and get out" school of road game philosophy, I am completely thrilled with the win.

[SemajParlor]

Went back and watched the replay on ESPN3 last night. Great comeback. A lot of things happened to shift momentum, but those 2 threes by Farr were huuuuge.

[GoMuskies]

According to Espn.com, that was our fourth straight win over SEC competition and 11th in our last 15 tries. They apparently missed two of our last three against the Vols.

[RoseyMuskie]

Quick stats breakdown (http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/quick-stats-receding-tide/), covering some key areas. Impressive how they pulled that out after falling behind on the road.

Thanks for all the statistical breakdowns, 09. Your posts have been on point as of late. Keep up the good work.

[XUFan09]

Thanks for all the statistical breakdowns, 09. Your posts have been on point as of late. Keep up the good work.

Thanks!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Some of you miss what the massive difference between this team and last years team. 1-3 guys don't bring it like they should and Mack and can bring in Myles and Farr right off the bench and see if they can bring it. Then Randolph can come in off of the bench or Reynolds. Mack has legit players that although they don't have a ton of experience they have the talent to play at this level. Bench talent was something we lacked last year and lost games because of it.

FYI, Iowa's press killed Randolph and Dee Davis and it wasn't like Iowa's was that fantastic. They clearly learned their lesson.

[gladdenguy]

Went back and watched the replay on ESPN3 last night. Great comeback. A lot of things happened to shift momentum, but those 2 threes by Farr were huuuuge.

Is there a way I can rewatch the game now on ESPN3???????????????

Just did. Wow Farr's threes were big. Stain and Phil played awesome in the 2nd half and the free throw shooting was clutch from Philmore, MD, and Dee. Great win.

[drudy23]

[QUOTE=ArizonaXUGrad;419199]Some of you miss what the massive difference between this team and last years team. 1-3 guys don't bring it like they should and Mack and can bring in Myles and Farr right off the bench and see if they can bring it. Then Randolph can come in off of the bench or Reynolds. Mack has legit players that although they don't have a ton of experience they have the talent to play at this level. Bench talent was something we lacked last year and lost games because of it.

QUOTE]

Pretty sure we all realize that.

[XUFan09]

Is there a way I can rewatch the game now on ESPN3???????????????

Just did. Wow Farr's threes were big. Stain and Phil played awesome in the 2nd half and the free throw shooting was clutch from Philmore, MD, and Dee. Great win.

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index#type/replay/